HomeMy WebLinkAboutMPD-09/11/2008Minutes of the September 11, 2008 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Mattituck Park
District, held at the office of the Veteran’s Park building at 1280 Peconic Bay Boulevard, Mattituck,
New York, with Jerry Zuhoski Chairman, Nicholas Deegan and Tom McCaffery Commissioners, John
Cushman Treasurer, Betsy Perkins, secretary, Gail Faircloth, District Clerk, Ed Grohoski maintenance,
Russ Williamson, Park District volunteer, Abigail Wickham, District’s attorney and other residents of the
District were present.
Chairman Zuhoski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
On a motion made by Jerry Zuhoski, seconded by Nick Deegan and carried the Minutes of the
August 14, 2008 meeting were revised by clarifying that Ed Grohoski is a full time employee. Said
motion carried and the minutes were approved as revised.
The Treasurer’s report was read by John Cushman (see attached), bills to be paid totaled $64,721.09,
which most consisted paying down debt. It was also stated that as of close of business today (before
the last 5 bills were accounted for, which came in after the report was finalized), there was
approximately $488,000 in cash. Commissioners asked for clarification of the expenses of the porta-
potties and a motion was made by Tom McCaffery and seconded by Nick Deegan to accept the
Treasurer’s report.
Ed Grohoski reported the following:
Veterans: Removed all floats, guard stand and signs. Beach closed signs up. Removed summer
portable toilets. New bulkhead completed. Touched up paint on guard shack.
Aldrich: Pine tree at basketball courts fell over during high winds. Lifted back up, staked and
installed more dirt around it. Shamrock Tree removed sheared off limbs that were stuck in top of trees
by basketball courts. Filled in golf divots and bare patch by fence reseeded same. Put portable
lights on field. Touch up paint. Spoke to Ed Gatto about servicing lights, which are overdue. The
company completed same today. Rebuilt trash bin floor which rotted out. Need to paint trim on
maintenance building. Suggested renting a lift to paint the peak. Jerry Zuhoski suggested borrowing
MFD’s. Ed to look into.
Truck repair maintenance estimates received; lowest was Klos at $834.00. Commissioners want to
keep truck repaired.
Breakwater. Shingles were replaced, touched up paint on guard shack. The sewer line broke the last
Saturday of the beach season, closed bathrooms dug out line; secured area with stakes and tape.
Mattituck Plumbing has been called to replace line from toilets and the trap.
Jerry Zuhoski reported that Mattituck Plumbing and Heating submitted a proposal of $800.00 to
repair. After a brief discussion, it was decided the job to big for the Park Maintenance to handle and
on a motion made by Nick Deegan, seconded by Tom McCaffery, the commissioners accepted
Mattituck Plumbing and Heating proposal’s to repair the bathrooms at Breakwater
The sprinklers at Aldrich lane would be kept on through September; shut down system at Bay
Avenue.
Tennis courts: posts in bad shape; rebuilt holders; nets are in fair condition.
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Had a problem with 2 people with dogs at the Beach at closing time. Women refused to leave
when beach was being closed and were informed no dogs allowed. Southold Town Police were
called and Officer Bopp spoke to the women. Brief discussion followed about the signs at the beach
and the continuing problem of dogs on the beach and trespassers after the beach is closed.
Believes there is a fine, but has not been enforced.
Gail Faircloth made the following report:
Had a request to rent the Lodge on Thanksgiving Day by a resident who recently moved into a house
that was no longer big enough for entire family. Gail’s only concern was that it was being used the
night before by the Loins and needs to clarify when they will be cleaned up. Commissioners had no
problem renting out building at normal fee.
Reported that Suffolk County increased its mileage reimbursement of 58 cents per mile. She is being
paid 48 ½ cents per mile. She was under the impression that she was always paid 2 cents less than
the County. She would like 56 cents per mileage. John Cushman cautioned the Commissioners
about the maximum allowed by IRS which John will confirm.
A motion was made by Tom McCaffery and seconded by Jerry Zuhoski to pay Gail Faircloth the 56
cents mileage reimbursement provided same was allowed by IRS. All in favor. Motion carried. Gail
will submit her mileage next month for payment.
Gail Wickham made the following report.
Re: Lighting project: She & Tom McCaffery met Welsbach representative and John Longo of Ward
Assoc. So far, Welsbach is holding price, but would like to start ASAP and finish by the end of the
year. The work would be done inside the fence during the day. Field may only be inoperable for a 2
week period in November. The big issue is timing concerning the bonding issue. Planning Board
reviewed the site plan, but forgot to publish. Then the Town Board placed on calendar for public
hearing and again, it was not published properly. Vinny Orlando, Louisa Evans and Tom Wickham
voted in favor; Supervisor Russell, Al Krupski and Bill Ruland voted in favor, reluctantly, indicating they
thought the Park District could get the money elsewhere. It was pointed out to them that the Town
provides no such facility for the community, but the Park District does. Bottom line is Town Board not
happy with bonding. Mr. Krupski felt that if our own voters said yes, then he had to be in favor. No
one raised any serious objection and it was felt that the bonding would go through.
Discussion followed about the issue of the contract signing and the risk involved in signing now before
the estoppel period passed being October 8. After that period, the Bond Counsel would give a
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favorable opinion and the Town would be free to sell the bonds, five years would be preferable. This
process would take approximately 30 days.
John Cushman sated that the District has the cash available could loan itself the money toward the
capital project.
Concerns were that if we signed the contract now, as is, we would be obligated to pay the entire
amount even if the bonding does not go through.
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Welsbach reports it will take 6 weeks to order the lights & poles. The junction boxes have been
ordered. John Longo of Ward Associates is recommending the Contract be signed now.
Gail Wickham is suggesting asking Welsbach to accept the signed contract provided it is contingent
that if the bonding does not get approved, the Park District would only be obligated to pay up to the
sum of $39,000.00. Welsbach believes that this amount could get them started with the laying of the
conduit and putting the boxes up.
The choices are:
A. Sign the contract with Welsbach as is
B. Sign the contract with the contingency that if the bonding is not approved the District would
only be obligated to pay Welsbach up to $39,000.00
C. Wait for the project to get bonding approval on Oct. 8.
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After a brief discussion the commissioners agreed to go ahead with option B; Sign the contract with
the contingency that if the bonding is not approved the District would only be obligated to pay
Welsbach up to $39,000.00.
A motion was made by Jerry Zuhoski and seconded by Nick Deegan to authorize Tom McCaffery to
contact Welsbach and request the contingency added to the contract before signing.
Once the project is complete and the other money is in, we can then bill the Town for the $100,000
allocated to this project.
John Cushman to pay the $250.00 building permit fee to the Town of Southold Building Department.
Re: Grant application: Is communicating with Doug Mackey of the Parks Department to ensure
paperwork in order.
Old Business:
West Jetty: Final work done and Okayed by Land Use. Jim King indicated final work was ok, but was
not happy with how it was accomplished.
Terry Contracting; work completed and upon a motion made by Nick Deegan and seconded by
Tom McCaffery, the Commissioners authorized John Cushman to pay the bill upon his review in the
amount of $34, 650.00
Russ Williamson asked the Commissioners to be sure that each of the contractors we hire to do work,
gives the District a lien waiver to ensure that once we pay them, we are not liable if the contractors
do not pay the suppliers. Gail thanked Russ for bringing it up and said that we were okay with Terry
Contracting and Welsbach.
Yacht Club inspection; Nick Deegan reported that upon the Trustees inspection, Jim King said it was
a mess. Ed Grohoski was asked to contact Suffolk County Vector control and ask them to repair
pipe, since it is a hazardous condition.
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Gail Wickham suggested repairing the north wall of the U and the east side of the jetty by replacing
the missing boards before winter in order to keep up their repair.
New Business:
Absentee ballots; Nick Deegan ordered a packet of 50 ballots.
Voting Issue: AG has not rendered a decision. Forwarded the request to the NY office as they did
not want the Long Island office to handle.
November 13 is the election for commissioner and treasurer. Secretary to coordinate with Gail
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Wickham about publishing, posting, etc. Gail Faircloth to obtain 2 additional election inspectors. This
election allows all residents to vote. Secretary to obtain updated list from Board of Elections.
Frank Polistena, Director of North Side-Out Volleyball League was present and informed the Board he
was very upset that Mike Ryan of North Fork Beach Volleyball League was given the job of taking
care of the nets. The nets have been removed and North Side-Out Volleyball still has an event
scheduled for this weekend coming up and the nets are down and he is requesting that we instruct
Mike Ryan to return the nets.
The discussion continued about why the Board “empowered” Mike Ryan to be in charge of the nets;
why wouldn’t the Board instruct him to return the nets; why is it that we give Mike Ryan preferential
treatment. Frank feels his league is being treated like second class citizens.
The Board at this time will not instruct Mike Ryan to return the 4 nets.
Frank Polistena only has 2 nets; needs 4 for his function this weekend, which he requested and has a
permit for. Has 60 people attending.
Requested the Board next year not to allow Mike Ryan to be in charge, only using his nets; asked
that courts 2 & 4 be his and courts 1 & 3 be Mike’s; each using their own nets.
Nick Deegan will call Mike Ryan and instruct him to put back 2 nets and Frank will put up 2 nets. Nick
to get phone number from Gail Faircloth and will advise Frank as soon as possible so that if Mike Ryan
refuses, it will give Frank time to purchase the additional nets.
The Board then asked Frank about the condition of the Courts; which Frank responded were ok. The
Town brought in sand during the last week of the season, which was not very good. It was
suggested to Frank that he contact Jim McMahon about the sand . Frank asked if the bathrooms
would be fixed this weekend for this event, and it was thought not. Ed Grohoski to arrange to have a
porta potty delivered for the event.
The Inlet resolution will be filed with the Town Clerk and sent to Tim Bishop, Marc Allessi and Ron
McGreevy.
There being no further business to come before the Commissioners, a motion was made by Jerry
Zuhoski, seconded by Nick Deegan and carried to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was then adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted by:
Betsy Perkins, Secretary
Mattituck Park District.
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